Damien pulled his Honda into the driveway of his mansion he'd bought a few months ago, to be near his family and prove that just because he was illegitimate, it didn't make him or his brothers less.
His father, Mitch Morgan, had never allowed Fiona’s branch of the family anywhere near his other family, but now that he was dead, Damien would prove that he was worth far more than his father ever saw in him. He hopped out of his truck, nodded at the hired staff who would unload Serenity's bags, and went to open her door.
Serenity had a radiant beauty that made him pause. His father's voice came back from the dead and he remembered being at one of the Hansom parties when he was a teenager. Girls like Serena and Serenity are from old money. They are not the type my boys should be interested in. Look what happened when I married old money instead of your mother. The lesson didn’t apply and was something he needed to forget. Her fingers wrapped around his and he led her inside.
Serenity was his. His heart raced that tomorrow, he'd get married when he’d never planned on it, ever. But now, he'd do everything possible to keep his family together. Serenity, pregnant! He’d never be his father.
His mom waited in the foyer and he hugged her tight before stepping back. "Serenity, this is my mother, Fiona Dupree."
"It's a pleasure to meet you, ma'am." Serenity offered her hand to shake.
Fiona bypassed the hand and hugged her too. "Tomorrow you'll be my daughter. I'm so pleased my son found someone like you."
Damien took that to mean she was happy he hadn't listened to his father's advice.
Serenity blinked. "Like me?"
Fiona brought her hands together in obvious pleasure. "Someone who smiles and comes from a good family. I was quite worried Damien would end up with someone I'd have nothing in common with. Now come, meet my other sons and then we'll visit Isabelle and meet the other half of the family."
Except his mother wasn't from a good family. It was held against her and all of her children as a reason why they were not his father's proper children. It no longer mattered. His father was long dead. Damien excelled at tearing men like his father down.
He guided Serenity away from his mother and led her into the living area. Two of his brothers milled about his grand piano with drinks in their hands.
Galen often helped him set traps for men like their father and this included Gilbert Fineroy, who, if all went according to plan, would soon be in jail. Damien said nothing about this to Serenity. Instead he brought her forward and introduced her. "This is Galen, my business partner, and Axel, the musician."
"Nice to meet you both," Serenity said. Her tones were smooth and modulated, her movements elegant as she offered her hand.
His brothers shook her hand and they moved forward into the milling friends and family. Tonight, he'd show Serenity he could be the type of husband she needed, even if she hadn’t wanted to get married, certainly not to Damien Morgan.
He’d show her stability without ripping her clothes off her body, like the small part of his brain wanted to do. He brought her over to the window and introduced her to his older brother and Tess. "And this is Mitch and his lovely wife, Tess."
Tess shook Serenity's hand, but spoke to him. "Jess... I mean Catherine, was sorry she couldn't get down tonight, but she wants you to know she's driving first thing in the morning to make it to your wedding."
When his family thought Catherine was dead, she'd been adopted by Tess's family and now went by her middle name. "I'm glad to see her tomorrow."
Tess relaxed, her message delivered. "It's so nice to meet you, Serenity. We're looking forward to the ceremony. Caro and Victoria have been working hard on finding you a dress—I know they are eager for your input."
Serenity's eyes showed a blank expression. He should have told her in the car his plans for their wedding tomorrow. She glanced at him. "I thought we were having a simple ceremony at the courthouse."
The courthouse for ten minutes wasn't worthy of Serenity. Damien had promised that he'd spend the rest of his life proving to her that he was good enough for her. How did he explain this to her?
Mitch gently patted him on the back. "Damien, you need to tell your bride the plans."
Right. He did. He had to tell her—they were a team. He tucked her hair behind a delicate ear. "Serenity, instead of the courthouse, I hired a minister to perform a service for a small wedding in the backyard. The caterers will have everything ready for our guests at noon, so we can get married here instead. I wanted it to be a surprise."
A blush grew on her cheeks but she nodded. "My mother and sister will enjoy seeing each other here."
Damien’s shoulders eased, wondering if she would always be so easy to get along with. He wrapped his hand in hers and brought her out to the patio, where music played.
The moment they stepped outside, the warm air greeted them. The rest of his family were in smaller groups all talking amongst themselves. He picked the closest group and as they neared, whatever they talked about quieted. "Perfect, so let's go meet the rest of my family. This is Peter and his wife, Belle."
Serenity shook their hands. "Your wedding was so lovely. I hope I didn't ruin anything by going overboard."
Belle shook her head. "Absolutely not. The rogue wave should never have happened—we’re glad you're okay."
Serenity glanced at both of them but settled on the oldest Morgan from the other side of the family. "And you're really okay that my sister is coming to my wedding?"
Peter nodded, his arm around his wife. "Of course. Serena was my past. Belle is my future."
Serenity’s cheeks were red so she must feel awkward in this group. He placed his hand on the small of her back and had her turn around to meet the others. "Then this is John and Alice."
Her face went white. "I'm so sorry about what my sister did to you."
He kept his hand on the base of her spine and rubbed. Alice nodded, but John said, "Damien assured us she was taken advantage of by Smith, a man known to hate me. I'm glad our testimony helped free her. Your wedding tomorrow is going to be beautiful."
His gift to Serenity for the wedding wouldn't have been possible without either of them. He shook John's hand and then Alice's too. "Thank you both."
Outside more of his family milled around in the evening and a child screamed in glee. He led her outside and he saw the next group, and he headed toward them. "This is Victoria, my sister, Colt, their daughter, Ellie, short for Eleanor, and Caro and Luke, the doctor you met on the ship."
Victoria and Caro both hugged Serenity and Victoria said, "We need to meet whenever you can to discuss the dress. We’ll finalize whatever you choose as fast as we can."
Serenity let out a breath. "Thank you. I'm ready whenever you are."
Damien had to talk to her about tomorrow. The wedding would be perfect, but his bride needed to understand who he had invited and why. She seemed easy-going so hopefully it wouldn’t be an issue. "Let me finish introducing her to everyone and then she's all yours."
Caro reached out and locked arms with Victoria. "Great. We have a room upstairs already."
The only obstacle left was Fineroy and his intentions. For now, he pivoted, arm in arm with Serenity, and went to join the four adults supervising the screaming boy running up and down the lawn. "Meet Elizabeth, her husband Rafe, and that's their son. Then this is Isabelle Morgan, my father's wife, and you remember Matthew."
"How could I forget." Serenity shook everyone's hand, but her smile was brightest for Matthew. He was quite certain his brother would have asked Serenity out, but now he stayed loyal to the family and didn’t so much as flirt.
Matthew took both of Serenity's hands, leaving Damien without her for a moment. "I'm glad everything is working out for you, Serenity. You look lovely."
Serenity blushed. "Thanks, Matthew."
Damien placed his hand on the small of her back and Serenity turned toward him, leaving Matthew. "I've invited everyone I think you'd want to be here, and Kiwi insisted you wear her special shoes."
"Naturally." Serenity followed him toward the house.
On their way through the patio door, Damien asked, "Serenity, can we talk alone for a minute?"
She nodded and he led her to the library, to the left of the living room, down a short hall. As they entered he smelled lavender in her hair, which must be left over from the spa.
She turned toward him, ignoring the huge bay windows that overlooked the Intracoastal. "Your family is large and clearly loves each other. It's so nice Fiona and Isabelle are friends."
Right. He came closer and his heart beat faster. He lowered his lips and captured hers in a fast kiss. She truly was too good for him, but the sweetness of her soul somehow made her impossible to resist. She sighed, and her leg was up when he finished. He held her until she regained her balance.
"There is something I want to talk to you about concerning tomorrow."
Her gaze narrowed, but she heated his blood just by being near. "What?"
Protecting her was his first priority. He stared down at her and crossed his arms. "There are business associates of mine coming who are not my friends. I don't trust them and I don't want you to think whatever they do is a reflection of me."
She stepped backwards and the air grew colder. "Now you sound like my father."
Her father was a criminal, something he'd never be.
"There is one coming, Gilbert Fineroy, a man like my father and yours. I intend to destroy him. His unsavory business has interfered with my work, but I will break it apart and find if there is anything illegal to turn over to the FBI."
She breathed in softly and her hands shook, though she hid them behind her back. "Like you did with my father?"
Good people don't break the laws. His father never should have gotten away with half of what he’d done. Damien’s stance became wider. "I don't make people do illegal things. In fact, I hate people who think they can break the law and get away with it."
Her head dropped and her face paled, losing all her natural color. "I understand. I'm glad you could forgive my sister."
The last thing he'd do is hurt her. He took a step toward her and lowered his head, appealing to her compassion. “I did it to make you happy, Serenity. I don't want you stressed on our wedding day."
She unfolded her arms, but still seemed far away in her thoughts. "I'm going to go upstairs to pick a dress. I'll find you when we're done."
"Sounds great." He pulled her closer.
Serenity tensed then relaxed.
"Tell me where you want to go for our honeymoon and I'll make it happen." Her lips lifted to him.
With a nod, she closed her eyes and wrapped her arms around his neck. He took her offered kiss and deepened it. She was delicious and all his, forever. Soon she'd understand just how she affected him.